This year鈥檚 reformatted Realtors Care Blanket Drive has raised thousands for 91原创 charities.

The 26-year-old blanket drive campaign is a partnership among the Lower Mainland鈥檚 three real estate boards, the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV), the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB), and the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB).

The campaign typically involves more than 18,000 realtors in the region collecting and distributing blankets and lightly used clothing. The donations help more than 35,000 residents stay warm during the winter months.

But this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the campaign switched to a virtual online fundraiser, which ran from Nov. 23 to 30.

And despite having to change the format of the drive, 91原创-based Realtor Billie Semak was pleased with the amount raised.

鈥淲e collected money instead and had people donate online, and I thought it was 91原创enal in seven days,鈥� she said.

Semak has been involved with the drive in 91原创 since 2006

鈥淚t really connects people,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been really a fun project to do.鈥�

The drive raised $50,000 in the Lower Mainland鈥� more than $15,500 in the Fraser Valley. Three 91原创 charities are set to receive $1,057.

Local charities to benefit include Salvation Army鈥檚 Gateway of Hope, Ishtar Women鈥檚 Resource Society, and Wagner Gills Farm Society.

Local charities will then be able to purchase items for people who are recovering from substance or domestic abuse, who need shelter or warmth, according to the REBGV.

鈥淲e as an organization, we鈥檙e very proud of our blanket drive, and the legacy of it鈥檚 25 years of helping people,鈥� said Chris Shields, FVREB president. 鈥淲e didn鈥檛 want to miss an opportunity to continue to help those that are in need.鈥�

Since it began in 1995, the charity says it has helped more than 425,000 people keep warm during the winter months.

joti.grewal@blackpress.ca
Like us on and follow us on .